#bigproblems — Public Fediverse posts

https://www.europesays.com/people/29253/ Quote of the day by Sergey Brin: “Solving big problems is easier than solving little problems” #BigProblems #creativity #Innovation #ProblemSolving #SergeyBrin

So there you go, #America has #PROBLEMS #BIGPROBLEMS

So there you go, #America has #PROBLEMS #BIGPROBLEMS

@b_cavello "P vs. NP" is a hard problem. Factoring large numbers / finding large primes is a hard problem. Travelling Salesman is a hard problem. Sustainable energy-positive nuclear fusion is a hard problem. Only one of those might be a big problem as I see it.

Addressing inequality or global warming are big problems. Addressing resource or environmental sink exhaustion are big problems. A former CEO (perhaps of GM or GE) had said of climate change: "We know the answer to the question; we don't like it." The solution to climate change is simple: reduce emissions. The problem in its impacts and coordination challenges is however big.

A big problem is one whose resolution would have a huge impact on future conditions.

I've asked the question a few times at HN and elsewhere:

https://hn.algolia.com/?q=what%20are%20the%20big%20problems

#BigProblems should turn up Fedi instances, probably from some former accounts of mine.

@b_cavello "P vs. NP" is a hard problem. Factoring large numbers / finding large primes is a hard problem. Travelling Salesman is a hard problem. Sustainable energy-positive nuclear fusion is a hard problem. Only one of those might be a big problem as I see it.

Addressing inequality or global warming are big problems. Addressing resource or environmental sink exhaustion are big problems. A former CEO (perhaps of GM or GE) had said of climate change: "We know the answer to the question; we don't like it." The solution to climate change is simple: reduce emissions. The problem in its impacts and coordination challenges is however big.

A big problem is one whose resolution would have a huge impact on future conditions.

I've asked the question a few times at HN and elsewhere:

https://hn.algolia.com/?q=what%20are%20the%20big%20problems

#BigProblems should turn up Fedi instances, probably from some former accounts of mine.

@b_cavello "P vs. NP" is a hard problem. Factoring large numbers / finding large primes is a hard problem. Travelling Salesman is a hard problem. Sustainable energy-positive nuclear fusion is a hard problem. Only one of those might be a big problem as I see it.

Addressing inequality or global warming are big problems. Addressing resource or environmental sink exhaustion are big problems. A former CEO (perhaps of GM or GE) had said of climate change: "We know the answer to the question; we don't like it." The solution to climate change is simple: reduce emissions. The problem in its impacts and coordination challenges is however big.

A big problem is one whose resolution would have a huge impact on future conditions.

I've asked the question a few times at HN and elsewhere:

https://hn.algolia.com/?q=what%20are%20the%20big%20problems

#BigProblems should turn up Fedi instances, probably from some former accounts of mine.

@b_cavello "P vs. NP" is a hard problem. Factoring large numbers / finding large primes is a hard problem. Travelling Salesman is a hard problem. Sustainable energy-positive nuclear fusion is a hard problem. Only one of those might be a big problem as I see it.

Addressing inequality or global warming are big problems. Addressing resource or environmental sink exhaustion are big problems. A former CEO (perhaps of GM or GE) had said of climate change: "We know the answer to the question; we don't like it." The solution to climate change is simple: reduce emissions. The problem in its impacts and coordination challenges is however big.

A big problem is one whose resolution would have a huge impact on future conditions.

I've asked the question a few times at HN and elsewhere:

https://hn.algolia.com/?q=what%20are%20the%20big%20problems

#BigProblems should turn up Fedi instances, probably from some former accounts of mine.

@b_cavello "P vs. NP" is a hard problem. Factoring large numbers / finding large primes is a hard problem. Travelling Salesman is a hard problem. Sustainable energy-positive nuclear fusion is a hard problem. Only one of those might be a big problem as I see it.

Addressing inequality or global warming are big problems. Addressing resource or environmental sink exhaustion are big problems. A former CEO (perhaps of GM or GE) had said of climate change: "We know the answer to the question; we don't like it." The solution to climate change is simple: reduce emissions. The problem in its impacts and coordination challenges is however big.

A big problem is one whose resolution would have a huge impact on future conditions.

I've asked the question a few times at HN and elsewhere:

https://hn.algolia.com/?q=what%20are%20the%20big%20problems

#BigProblems should turn up Fedi instances, probably from some former accounts of mine.

On the live stream this past Saturday, I discussed the #BigProblems I want to tackle now that I've completed my #transgender journey with #GenderAffirmingSurgery.

https://genderidentitytoday.com/the-big-problems-i-face-and-why-you-should-face-them-too/

#IdentifyYourself #trans #transgender #lgbtq #mtf #TransgenderWoman #TransWoman #GenderIdentity #SupportWithAmi #GenderIdentitySupport #AskAmethysta #ScienceOfIdentity

On the live stream this past Saturday, I discussed the #BigProblems I want to tackle now that I've completed my #transgender journey with #GenderAffirmingSurgery.

https://genderidentitytoday.com/the-big-problems-i-face-and-why-you-should-face-them-too/

#IdentifyYourself #trans #transgender #lgbtq #mtf #TransgenderWoman #TransWoman #GenderIdentity #SupportWithAmi #GenderIdentitySupport #AskAmethysta #ScienceOfIdentity

On the live stream this past Saturday, I discussed the #BigProblems I want to tackle now that I've completed my #transgender journey with #GenderAffirmingSurgery.

https://genderidentitytoday.com/the-big-problems-i-face-and-why-you-should-face-them-too/

#IdentifyYourself #trans #transgender #lgbtq #mtf #TransgenderWoman #TransWoman #GenderIdentity #SupportWithAmi #GenderIdentitySupport #AskAmethysta #ScienceOfIdentity

Michael Huesemann: Techno-Fix: Why Technology Wont Save Us Or the Environment (2012) [video]

As much as we’d like to believe that technological innovation will let us magically continue our lifestyle and prevent social, economic, and environmental collapse, Huesemann shows that most technological solutions are ineffective—and, in the presence of continued economic growth, modern technology does not promote sustainability, but hastens collapse.

https://archive.org/details/scm-33066-michaelhuesemanntechno-fixwhyt

Based on the book of the same name.

My own review / overview of the book: https://old.reddit.com/r/dredmorbius/comments/21pc8c/michael_joyce_heusemann_technofix_why_technology/

#MichaelHeusemann #JoyceHeusemann #TechnoFix #Video #BigProblems

Michael Huesemann: Techno-Fix: Why Technology Wont Save Us Or the Environment (2012) [video]

As much as we’d like to believe that technological innovation will let us magically continue our lifestyle and prevent social, economic, and environmental collapse, Huesemann shows that most technological solutions are ineffective—and, in the presence of continued economic growth, modern technology does not promote sustainability, but hastens collapse.

https://archive.org/details/scm-33066-michaelhuesemanntechno-fixwhyt

Based on the book of the same name.

My own review / overview of the book: https://old.reddit.com/r/dredmorbius/comments/21pc8c/michael_joyce_heusemann_technofix_why_technology/

#MichaelHeusemann #JoyceHeusemann #TechnoFix #Video #BigProblems

Michael Huesemann: Techno-Fix: Why Technology Wont Save Us Or the Environment (2012) [video]

As much as we’d like to believe that technological innovation will let us magically continue our lifestyle and prevent social, economic, and environmental collapse, Huesemann shows that most technological solutions are ineffective—and, in the presence of continued economic growth, modern technology does not promote sustainability, but hastens collapse.

https://archive.org/details/scm-33066-michaelhuesemanntechno-fixwhyt

Based on the book of the same name.

My own review / overview of the book: https://old.reddit.com/r/dredmorbius/comments/21pc8c/michael_joyce_heusemann_technofix_why_technology/

#MichaelHeusemann #JoyceHeusemann #TechnoFix #Video #BigProblems

Michael Huesemann: Techno-Fix: Why Technology Wont Save Us Or the Environment (2012) [video]

As much as we’d like to believe that technological innovation will let us magically continue our lifestyle and prevent social, economic, and environmental collapse, Huesemann shows that most technological solutions are ineffective—and, in the presence of continued economic growth, modern technology does not promote sustainability, but hastens collapse.

https://archive.org/details/scm-33066-michaelhuesemanntechno-fixwhyt

Based on the book of the same name.

My own review / overview of the book: https://old.reddit.com/r/dredmorbius/comments/21pc8c/michael_joyce_heusemann_technofix_why_technology/

#MichaelHeusemann #JoyceHeusemann #TechnoFix #Video #BigProblems

Michael Huesemann: Techno-Fix: Why Technology Wont Save Us Or the Environment (2012) [video]

As much as we’d like to believe that technological innovation will let us magically continue our lifestyle and prevent social, economic, and environmental collapse, Huesemann shows that most technological solutions are ineffective—and, in the presence of continued economic growth, modern technology does not promote sustainability, but hastens collapse.

https://archive.org/details/scm-33066-michaelhuesemanntechno-fixwhyt

Based on the book of the same name.

My own review / overview of the book: https://old.reddit.com/r/dredmorbius/comments/21pc8c/michael_joyce_heusemann_technofix_why_technology/

#MichaelHeusemann #JoyceHeusemann #TechnoFix #Video #BigProblems

Did you ever have Big Problems? Do you have @fortelabs kind of Big Problems? Here is my recent re-evaluation of what matters in my work:

https://www.amethysta.io/2023/04/27/the-big-problems-post-gender-transition-edition/

#transgender #lgbtq #BigProblems

Did you ever have Big Problems? Do you have @fortelabs kind of Big Problems? Here is my recent re-evaluation of what matters in my work:

https://www.amethysta.io/2023/04/27/the-big-problems-post-gender-transition-edition/

#transgender #lgbtq #BigProblems

Before Collapse of #SiliconValleyBank #Fed Spotted #BigProblems. Bank was using an #incorrect #model as it #assessed its own #risks amid #rising #InterestRates & spent much of 2022 under a #SupervisoryReview....By early 2023, #SVB was in what the Fed calls a #HorizontalReview,” an assessment meant gauge strength of #RiskManagement. Checkup identified additional deficiencies but at that point the bank’s days were numbered. In early March, it faced a run & failed w/in days. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/19/business/economy/fed-silicon-valley-bank.html

Before Collapse of #SiliconValleyBank #Fed Spotted #BigProblems. Bank was using an #incorrect #model as it #assessed its own #risks amid #rising #InterestRates & spent much of 2022 under a #SupervisoryReview....By early 2023, #SVB was in what the Fed calls a #HorizontalReview,” an assessment meant gauge strength of #RiskManagement. Checkup identified additional deficiencies but at that point the bank’s days were numbered. In early March, it faced a run & failed w/in days. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/19/business/economy/fed-silicon-valley-bank.html

Before Collapse of #SiliconValleyBank #Fed Spotted #BigProblems. Bank was using an #incorrect #model as it #assessed its own #risks amid #rising #InterestRates & spent much of 2022 under a #SupervisoryReview....By early 2023, #SVB was in what the Fed calls a #HorizontalReview,” an assessment meant gauge strength of #RiskManagement. Checkup identified additional deficiencies but at that point the bank’s days were numbered. In early March, it faced a run & failed w/in days. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/19/business/economy/fed-silicon-valley-bank.html

Before Collapse of #SiliconValleyBank #Fed Spotted #BigProblems. Bank was using an #incorrect #model as it #assessed its own #risks amid #rising #InterestRates & spent much of 2022 under a #SupervisoryReview....By early 2023, #SVB was in what the Fed calls a #HorizontalReview,” an assessment meant gauge strength of #RiskManagement. Checkup identified additional deficiencies but at that point the bank’s days were numbered. In early March, it faced a run & failed w/in days. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/19/business/economy/fed-silicon-valley-bank.html

To the thousands of skilled #TechWorkers who have been laid off in recent weeks, and those worried they may be next: The #nonprofit sector needs the #skills and #talent you have to offer—and workers should flock to the sector to work on #BigProblems. https://www.fastcompany.com/90821372/tech-layoffs-nonprofit-job-opportunities?partner=rss&utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

To the thousands of skilled #TechWorkers who have been laid off in recent weeks, and those worried they may be next: The #nonprofit sector needs the #skills and #talent you have to offer—and workers should flock to the sector to work on #BigProblems. https://www.fastcompany.com/90821372/tech-layoffs-nonprofit-job-opportunities?partner=rss&utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

To the thousands of skilled #TechWorkers who have been laid off in recent weeks, and those worried they may be next: The #nonprofit sector needs the #skills and #talent you have to offer—and workers should flock to the sector to work on #BigProblems. https://www.fastcompany.com/90821372/tech-layoffs-nonprofit-job-opportunities?partner=rss&utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

To the thousands of skilled #TechWorkers who have been laid off in recent weeks, and those worried they may be next: The #nonprofit sector needs the #skills and #talent you have to offer—and workers should flock to the sector to work on #BigProblems. https://www.fastcompany.com/90821372/tech-layoffs-nonprofit-job-opportunities?partner=rss&utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

To the thousands of skilled #TechWorkers who have been laid off in recent weeks, and those worried they may be next: The #nonprofit sector needs the #skills and #talent you have to offer—and workers should flock to the sector to work on #BigProblems. https://www.fastcompany.com/90821372/tech-layoffs-nonprofit-job-opportunities?partner=rss&utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

Questions

1. What are the big problems?
2. What scares you spitless?
3. What gives you hope?
4. What have you changed your mind on?
5. What are you certain of though you cannot prove it?

Boosts appreciated.

#Questions #BigProblems #Hope #Fear #ChangeMyMind #Certainty #AvailableForChildrensBirthdaysAndBarMitzvahs

Questions

1. What are the big problems?
2. What scares you spitless?
3. What gives you hope?
4. What have you changed your mind on?
5. What are you certain of though you cannot prove it?

Boosts appreciated.

#Questions #BigProblems #Hope #Fear #ChangeMyMind #Certainty #AvailableForChildrensBirthdaysAndBarMitzvahs

Questions

1. What are the big problems?
2. What scares you spitless?
3. What gives you hope?
4. What have you changed your mind on?
5. What are you certain of though you cannot prove it?

Boosts appreciated.

#Questions #BigProblems #Hope #Fear #ChangeMyMind #Certainty #AvailableForChildrensBirthdaysAndBarMitzvahs

Questions

1. What are the big problems?
2. What scares you spitless?
3. What gives you hope?
4. What have you changed your mind on?
5. What are you certain of though you cannot prove it?

Boosts appreciated.

#Questions #BigProblems #Hope #Fear #ChangeMyMind #Certainty #AvailableForChildrensBirthdaysAndBarMitzvahs

Unless you can address the economics of capital, rents, labour, public goods, and assets, and their relationships to power, privilege, and oppression, then technology itself either does not help, or worsens, power imbalances.

https://diaspora.glasswings.com/posts/49817e2057a40139c261002590d8e506

#BigProblems #economics #technology #power #PublicGoods #Assets #rents #capital #inequality #oppression

Unless you can address the economics of capital, rents, labour, public goods, and assets, and their relationships to power, privilege, and oppression, then technology itself either does not help, or worsens, power imbalances.

https://diaspora.glasswings.com/posts/49817e2057a40139c261002590d8e506

#BigProblems #economics #technology #power #PublicGoods #Assets #rents #capital #inequality #oppression

How Many People Can the Earth Support? (1998)

... I hope to offer a perspective that differs from the views of those who say that rapid population growth is no problem at all and those who say that population growth is the only problem. A rounded view of the facts should immunize us against both cornucopians and doomsayers. I give more details in my recent book How Many People Can the Earth Support? ...

https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1998/10/08/how-many-people-can-the-earth-support/

Paywall: https://archive.is/E5AB8

HN discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29450230

#Population #Overpopulation #CarryingCapacity #LimitsToGrowth #BigProblems #JoelECohen #RockefellerUniversity #ColumbiaUniversity #NYBooks #NewYorkReviewOfBooks #Books #BookReviews #Reviews

How Many People Can the Earth Support? (1998)

... I hope to offer a perspective that differs from the views of those who say that rapid population growth is no problem at all and those who say that population growth is the only problem. A rounded view of the facts should immunize us against both cornucopians and doomsayers. I give more details in my recent book How Many People Can the Earth Support? ...

https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1998/10/08/how-many-people-can-the-earth-support/

Paywall: https://archive.is/E5AB8

HN discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29450230

#Population #Overpopulation #CarryingCapacity #LimitsToGrowth #BigProblems #JoelECohen #RockefellerUniversity #ColumbiaUniversity #NYBooks #NewYorkReviewOfBooks #Books #BookReviews #Reviews

If you could work on any problem or project, and money were no object, what would that be?

That could be a personal project, a global one, local, some interest, whatevs.

Reshares welcomed.

#BigProblems

If you could work on any problem or project, and money were no object, what would that be?

That could be a personal project, a global one, local, some interest, whatevs.

Reshares welcomed.

#BigProblems

What is the present state of civilisation and challenges facing it?

(Piggybacking off @cwebber's thread / poll.)

Intent here is to focus on the relationship and scope of problems, not the specific problem(s) themselves, if any. Though I suspect some may wish to discuss that in comments....

#Poll #BigProblems #ExistentialThreats #Risk #ThreatPerceptions #PaulChefurka

What is the present state of civilisation and challenges facing it?

(Piggybacking off @cwebber's thread / poll.)

Intent here is to focus on the relationship and scope of problems, not the specific problem(s) themselves, if any. Though I suspect some may wish to discuss that in comments....

#Poll #BigProblems #ExistentialThreats #Risk #ThreatPerceptions #PaulChefurka

What is your outlook on the future of human civilisation?

(Piggybacking off @cwebber's thread / poll)

#BigProblems #Civilisation #Collapse #TechnoOptimism #TechnoPessimism #Singularity #Transhumanism #Rapture #Resilience #TransitionTowns #TransitionMovement #Polls

What is your outlook on the future of human civilisation?

(Piggybacking off @cwebber's thread / poll)

#BigProblems #Civilisation #Collapse #TechnoOptimism #TechnoPessimism #Singularity #Transhumanism #Rapture #Resilience #TransitionTowns #TransitionMovement #Polls

@calcifer It took me a couple of reads (and a lot of re-searching for this thread) to realise you're arguing the point I agree with.

There's some gwadawful crap out there that is insidiously complex. Worse, it's often been made far worse through the application of simple fixes.

Though one can of course note that there are numerous fairly tractable and readily applied intermediations (possibly just addressing immediate rather than long-term systemic harms) that are dismissed by "it's complex* counterarguments.

To which I'd respond: There's a distinction between immediate rescue, recovery, and aid efforts, and long-term systemic improvements. These are both parts of the solution, they are complements, not opposites.

But yeah, the "you're just saying it's complex because you don't want to fix it or you think it's all just dandy" is exceedingly tired and needs to DIAF.

#Complexity #BigProblems #TiredArguments

@calcifer It took me a couple of reads (and a lot of re-searching for this thread) to realise you're arguing the point I agree with.

There's some gwadawful crap out there that is insidiously complex. Worse, it's often been made far worse through the application of simple fixes.

Though one can of course note that there are numerous fairly tractable and readily applied intermediations (possibly just addressing immediate rather than long-term systemic harms) that are dismissed by "it's complex* counterarguments.

To which I'd respond: There's a distinction between immediate rescue, recovery, and aid efforts, and long-term systemic improvements. These are both parts of the solution, they are complements, not opposites.

But yeah, the "you're just saying it's complex because you don't want to fix it or you think it's all just dandy" is exceedingly tired and needs to DIAF.

#Complexity #BigProblems #TiredArguments

Housing: The Three S’s: Supply, Stability, and Subsidy

[T]he solution to America’s housing crisis, both politically and technically, comes down to three coequal priorities that I call the Three S’s: Supply, Stability, and Subsidy....

[A]ll indispensable ingredients in the affordable city recipe book... One without the others will not bring true affordability and stability to a community—certainly not to all who need and deserve it. Nor can we simply enact the strongest possible intervention for one goal without considering its impacts on the others. Often, the most aggressive solution to one problem will undermine the best response to another.

https://www.planetizen.com/features/110948-affordable-city-offers-solutions-us-housing-affordability-crisis

Book: https://islandpress.org/books/affordable-city

HN discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26854819

#housing #homelessness #property #PublicOwnership #ShanePhillips #TheAffordableCity #books #BookReivews #BigProblems

Housing: The Three S’s: Supply, Stability, and Subsidy

[T]he solution to America’s housing crisis, both politically and technically, comes down to three coequal priorities that I call the Three S’s: Supply, Stability, and Subsidy....

[A]ll indispensable ingredients in the affordable city recipe book... One without the others will not bring true affordability and stability to a community—certainly not to all who need and deserve it. Nor can we simply enact the strongest possible intervention for one goal without considering its impacts on the others. Often, the most aggressive solution to one problem will undermine the best response to another.

https://www.planetizen.com/features/110948-affordable-city-offers-solutions-us-housing-affordability-crisis

Book: https://islandpress.org/books/affordable-city

HN discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26854819

#housing #homelessness #property #PublicOwnership #ShanePhillips #TheAffordableCity #books #BookReivews #BigProblems

Activism Survival Manifesto

1. My ability to be a force for good and change in the world begins with my own existence and health. I will tend to and be mindful of my own health, and be aware of and respect my strengths, weaknesses, and limits.
2. The world and its problems are larger than me. Working together with others, finding those to work with, ensuring their own health and wellness, and working effectively with them, maximises my own contribution. Doing more on fewer issues focuses my efforts and results.
3. Problem resolution is a process beginning with awareness and concluding with assessment and learning. Contributions throughout this cycle are useful.
4. Knowledge of leverage points and community activism tactics is useful. Generally, maximising effect through actions toward goals at minimum effort should be my operational standard.
5. Often communications is activism. Even a minimal contribution, yes, even a “like” or reshare, is a contribution, though substantial contributions may be far more useful. Do what I can.
6. Keeping interactions polite to the extent possible is helpful, but so are firmly establishing boundaries and protecting that which I, or those working with me, require.

https://joindiaspora.com/posts/e52eb55030d40139ee9b002590d8e506

#activism #politics #SurvivalManifesto #BigProblems #CommunityOrganising

Activism Survival Manifesto

1. My ability to be a force for good and change in the world begins with my own existence and health. I will tend to and be mindful of my own health, and be aware of and respect my strengths, weaknesses, and limits.
2. The world and its problems are larger than me. Working together with others, finding those to work with, ensuring their own health and wellness, and working effectively with them, maximises my own contribution. Doing more on fewer issues focuses my efforts and results.
3. Problem resolution is a process beginning with awareness and concluding with assessment and learning. Contributions throughout this cycle are useful.
4. Knowledge of leverage points and community activism tactics is useful. Generally, maximising effect through actions toward goals at minimum effort should be my operational standard.
5. Often communications is activism. Even a minimal contribution, yes, even a “like” or reshare, is a contribution, though substantial contributions may be far more useful. Do what I can.
6. Keeping interactions polite to the extent possible is helpful, but so are firmly establishing boundaries and protecting that which I, or those working with me, require.

https://joindiaspora.com/posts/e52eb55030d40139ee9b002590d8e506

#activism #politics #SurvivalManifesto #BigProblems #CommunityOrganising

What Are the Big Problems?

I'm leaving this open-ended, there's no specific criteria for responses.

I'm interested in both your list and the reasons why.

Submitting your suggestions before reading other's contributions would be preferred.

Optionally: who is (or isn't) successfully addressing them. Individuals, organizations, companies, governments, other. How and/or why not?

#BigProblems